Japan Launches World's First Continuous Deep-Sea Mining Test for Rare Earth Elements

On January 12, 2026, Japan initiated a pioneering, continuous trial focused on extracting deep-sea sediments rich in rare earth elements (REEs). This groundbreaking operation targets deposits located at an approximate depth of six kilometers beneath the ocean surface. The research vessel Chikyu, the flagship of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), departed from Shimizu Port in Shizuoka Prefecture to commence this ambitious undertaking.

The vessel is equipped with advanced riser drilling technology and is currently en route to the vicinity of Minamitorishima Island. This location lies roughly 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. This mission is a cornerstone of a national project overseen by the Cabinet Office’s Innovation Platform, designed explicitly to cultivate a domestic supply chain for these vital minerals.

The primary driver behind this initiative is to significantly reduce Japan’s strategic reliance on overseas suppliers, particularly China. Escalating geopolitical tensions, underscored by Beijing's recent restrictions on the export of dual-use goods, have intensified Tokyo’s concerns regarding resource security. This current effort echoes the 2010 diplomatic dispute that saw REE supplies to Japan curtailed, an event that catalyzed Japan’s long-term diversification strategy.

Following the restrictions imposed after 2010, Japan managed to lower its dependence on Chinese REE imports from over 90% down to approximately 60%. The potential reserves near Minamitorishima are considered substantial; estimates suggest that the dysprosium and yttrium-bearing mud deposits could sustain global demand for centuries. The technical hurdle remains the sustained, continuous lifting of this deep-sea mud from the six-kilometer depth.

Should this initial test prove successful, the project aims to transition to pilot extraction operations, targeting the recovery of 350 metric tons of mud on a daily basis by January 2027. This represents a significant leap in deep-sea resource utilization technology.

Initial processing steps are slated to occur directly on Minamitorishima Island. This involves centrifugation to dewater the material, effectively reducing its volume by 80%. Following this concentration stage, the refined material will be transported to Japan's main islands for further refinement. Researchers have noted a key advantage of the Minamitorishima sediments: unlike many terrestrial deposits, they do not contain significant concentrations of radioactive impurities such as thorium and uranium, potentially streamlining and reducing the cost of the extraction process.

Coinciding with Japan’s deep-sea endeavor, finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations convened in Washington on the very same day, January 12, 2026. Their agenda focused on formulating collective strategies to mitigate reliance on Chinese critical mineral supplies. Discussions included establishing coordinated minimum pricing benchmarks for non-Chinese sources to ensure the economic viability of alternative supply projects. The success of the trial aboard the Chikyu—the world’s first scientific vessel equipped for riser drilling—could prove pivotal in reshaping the global landscape of REE supply chains.